Pacific LGBTQI Community in Shock After Murder of Tonga Leitis Association President

ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Beat - May 3, 2021 - Listen HERE

Tongan police have charged a man with the murder of a prominent LGBTQI activist.

Polikalepo Kefu, known as Poli, was the president to the Tongan Leitis Association - an organisation that advocated for trans-people - as well as working with Tonga's Red Cross Society.

He was found dead on Saturday night.

Deputy Commissioner Tevita Vailea said a 27 year old man surrendered himself to police.

“The accused surrendered himself to police last Saturday night and is remanded in custody to appear at the Magistrate Court.”

Activist mourned

The death has sent shockwaves through the Pacific's tightknit LGBTQI community.

Executive Director of the Tonga Leitis Association, Joey Joleen Mataele said the organisation is committed to continuing Kefu's advocacy.

"The hardest thing is to think that Tonga has gone into that kind of situation."

"We never thought that this kind of brutal murder would happen in Tonga."

She said Mr Kefu was a proud activist.
"Not only was he was an activist, he was one person who would never be satisfied until the matter was solved."

"He was absolutely one in a million."

Ms Matele said the death reinforces the vulnerable position all LGBTQI are in, and the need for governments to enact better protections.

"The only thing we can do is stand in unity with everybody, this is time to push for change."

"We need the government to recognise we have the right to be protected."

Mr Kefu was involved in numerous community organisations and they have been leading tributes following his death

UN Aids said in a statement Mr Kefu was a "strong human rights activist".

"Especially for transwomen (Leitis) and in the HIV response in Tonga & the Pacific for many years.

He dedicated his life for the safety of others in Tonga, ” the organisation said in a statement.

The Pacific Sexual and Gender Diversity Network described Kefu as "one of its long-serving warriors."

"Poli was a true humanitarian worker, he dedicated his life to volunteerism- serving and helping people and to receive the news of how he departed is so painful and heart-wrenching.

"We will miss his quiet demure but cheerful smile and beautiful charisma, your death will not be in vain Poli," the organisation wrote on Facebook.